News

10 for today: Wednesday, Jan. 8

POLAR VORTEX: Three men protect themselves from the elements as they walk in Chicago's Loop with temperatures well below zero and wind chills expected to reach 40 to 50 below Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Chicago. A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended into much of the U.S. Photo: Associated Press/Charles Rex Arbogast

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. ARCTIC AIR EASES GRIP ON MUCH OF THE U.S.

Winds are calmer and weather is warming up a day after record-cold temperatures blasted the Eastern Seaboard.

2. WHERE SCHUMACHER’S ACCIDENT OCCURRED

Helmet camera footage shows the Formula One great was outside a groomed trail when he lost his balance and crashed.

3. WHAT ROBERT GATES IS WRITING

The former defense secretary’s new memoir says Biden is often wrong and Obama lost faith in Afghanistan strategy.

4. FORMER MISS VENEZUELA A POWERFUL SYMBOL IN DEATH

“Monica and Thomas are the face of thousands of men and woman whose children have been left without parents because of the violence of Venezuela,” a TV personality tweeted.

5. PLUGGING ‘SCHOOL-TO-PRISON’ PIPELINE

New recommendations aim to end apparent disparities in how students of different races are punished for violating school rules.

6. FALLUJAH THEN AND NOW

The Iraqi city’s recent fall to al-Qaida-linked forces triggers deep emotions for U.S. forces who secured the city in 2004 in intense urban combat.

7. HONORING TUCSON MASS SHOOTING VICTIMS

Ceremonies and church events mark the third anniversary of the shootings that killed six and injured 12, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Usually the original manuscript of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the flag that inspired it are in different museums. They’ll be united this summer at the Smithsonian to mark the song’s 200th anniversary.

10. HOW BASEBALL HALL OF FAME VOTING IS SHAPING UP

Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas appear to be on track to gain election from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, and Craig Biggio could join them.